10.23.13 | FannyVernaud
Fanny is an intern in the Film Department who came to us for the last few months from France. We asked her to give us a preview of the Romantic films playing this year’s festival without realizing we would be tapping into some strong feelings she has.
The dream of my life will be to be able to spend my days on the couch, watching Sixteen Candles while eating cookie ice cream. While I recently realized that 1) I was a cliché and 2)I should have a job to be able to finance the ice cream, I started an Internship at the Austin Film Festival, that require – real talk – to work during the festival. But it’s not because I’ll be working that I won’t find the time to enjoy the diversity of the film selection. The list of films I want to see is really huge and unrealistic, from Political Bodies to Crackheads, and I’m not even talking about the shorts films (I just want to watch them all).
However we are not here to talk about political issues or drug comedies, and because we are not shallow people, I’d like to take some time to talk about my personal fighting. Yes, I’m a French girl who fights for her freedom to watch romantic comedies that are not stupid and meaningless. Being a girl and enjoying romantic comedies can easily lead to losing your credibility in the beautiful world of Cinema. Fortunately, it seems like the two film directors of Austin Film Festival enjoy Cinema in all its angles, and allow you to attend screenings that will permit you to cry, laugh or just get laid.
My festival will start on Thursday with Jack, Jules, Esther and Me* at the Rollins Theatre, because every film that celebrates the awkwardness of being 17 should be seen by everybody. In the manner of a Salinger book, teenage movies are not only for 15 years old girls and this World Premiere should be one of the highlights of the festival.
Another World Premiere on Friday with Light Years* at the IMAX, Maggie Kiley’s first narrative feature. After breaking Jesse Eisenberg’s heart in her last short film, it’s now Chris Lowell’s turn to experience love, hopefully helped by the awesome Allison Janney.
If you still don’t know who Chris Lowell is, my advice is to google him before you read this paragraph (right now, for example). Okay? His first narrative feature is playing at the Texas State on Saturday. Beside Still Waters* tells the story of a group of childhood friends reunited for the last time in their lake house. It’s definitely the kind of movie you want to see with your friends to avoid ending up at the bar by yourself after, drunkenly texting your best friends. The film is in competition this year, and remember that you are at a festival, so it’s always good to see the films in competition to be able to criticize the juror’s choice after without having to pretend that you know what you are talking about.
On Sunday, you should go to the State Theatre (or just sleep there the day before if you follow my schedule), to watch Girl on Bicycle*, because you know, Keep Austin Cycling. It’s also the story of a boy falling in love with a French girl and it sounds like a good idea everyone should follow. Furthermore, Jeremy Leven, the director who will be in attendance, wrote 11 screenplays including The Notebook, so I believe in his ability to write good romantic comedies more than anything.
On Monday, everyone will rush to the Paramount to watch the new Cohen Brothers movie. Right, okay, I understand, I love the Cohen Brothers too. But because you are smarter than everybody else and you can wait until Christmas, let’s watch The Pretty One, an indie movie with the brilliant Zoe Kazan who plays twin sisters. I have to say that I’m really excited about this movie, because since the success of Ruby Sparks last year (she played the lead role, produced and wrote the film), I really believe she’s is desired by a lot of filmmakers and I’m impatient to see her career’s choices.
I will think about you with my beer at the Alamo Drafthouse, you Paramount gang.
Tuesday is time to prove that American people can actually watch a movie with subtitles. I’m Dating You Not* is a real Spanish movie with a fake English name where people speak fast, scream and have sex. The film is presented for the first time in America at the Galaxy Highland Theatre, and the conclusion of the comedy could be that no matter in what side of the Atlantic Ocean you live, relationships are always way too complicated.
I never really go to see the blockbusters during festivals, but this year is going to be an exception, and Jason Reitman is the reason why. To say that I appreciate his work would be a big euphemism, and I feel like Austin Film Festival agrees with me. Indeed, the festival is one of the first who rewarded him, back in 2000 and Up in the Air has been the film of the closing ceremony in 2009. Also in this film, Kate Winslet is playing a misunderstood housewife, because she is so versatile (don’t get me wrong, I love her, this is pure simplistic jealousy).
Remember that you are fluent in Spanish since Tuesday? Now you need to practice by watching La Navaja de Don Juan* at the IMAX on Thursday. I think there is no better way to end a festival than to go to a World Premiere with all the cast in attendance.
3 world Premieres, 1 US Premiere, 1 blockbuster released in December, 1 film in competition, 2 indie films, a lot of feelings and a lot of laugh, this is what you can do with this schedule. But no matter what you choose to see (even Inside Llewyn Davies, I promise), enjoy your festival and don’t be scared to go to the Theatre you’ve never been to or to see a film with no famous actor. You are supposed to keep it weird, right?
*: Director, writer or actors in attendance. So you can ask questions, you know, like in a festival.